Dorothy Julia Schoknecht, 101

Dorothy Julia Schoknecht, 101, of Kalispell, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2008, at Brendan House in Kalispell. Dorothy was born Dec. 20, 1906, in Sauk Rapids, Minn., the second of four children to Henry and Julia Neils Schoknecht.

Dorothy's family moved to Kalispell in December of 1912. She attended Kalispell schools, graduating from Flathead High School in 1925 as valedictorian. Dorothy received a bachelor of arts degree from Valparaiso University, and her master's degree in chemistry and microbiology from the University of Washington. After graduating, Dorothy returned to the Flathead; she taught at Bigfork High School and Kalispell Junior High. She then spent 20 years at Flathead High School teaching chemistry and biology, and was the faculty advisor for the yearbook. After her retirement, she continued to teach German at Trinity Lutheran School.

Dorothy was an active lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and she was the first woman to serve on the board of directors of Valparaiso University. She served on the advisory board of Concordia College in Portland, and received the 'Crest of Christ Award' from Concordia College in Seward, Neb. She served on the board of directors of the Conrad National Bank in Kalispell, and in 1974, she was named 'Lady of the Year' by the local Beta Sigma Phi chapters.

Dorothy had a life-long commitment to education; she helped many local students attain their educational goals through her encouragement and support. Dorothy loved teaching and working in her garden, or at the family cherry orchard on Flathead Lake. She also enjoyed spending time with friends, family, former students and her caregiver of more than 15 years, Nancy Morast.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; and her brothers, Henry, Mark and Frederick.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Faye Schoknecht, of Libby; niece, Paula Sandman and husband Bob of Whitefish; nephew, Joel Schoknecht, of Kalispell; grandnieces, Stacia Rohrer of Seattle, Ashley Rohrer Smith and husband Kevin of Gulfport, Miss., and Ryenne Schoknecht of Kalispell; and grandnephews, Brandann Rohrer of Whitefish and Logan Sandman of Missoula.

The family requests that memorials be made to Trinity Lutheran School, 495 5th Ave. WN, Kalispell, MT 59901, or to the Central School Museum, 124 2nd Ave E., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell, with Pastors Mark Cutler and Darold Reiner officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 24, at Johnson Mortuary. A private burial will take place.

You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Dorothy's guest book.